Shovel



July 11, 1939. w, F, MOUND'ON 2,166,013

SHOVEL Filed March 8, 1939 I I. /6 gwue/wto'v 5 WE M 11270 012 V 5 IA Patented July 11, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application March 8,

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in shovels; and more particularly, the type known as hollow back in which the blade is usually formed from a blank and pressed into the desired shape having a concave face and a convex back. In forming the blade, a hollow occurs in the back from which the name hollow back comes. This recess presents a convex protuberance on the front face with a concave rear surface.

This recess has presented a problem in the manufacture of shovels. Unless it is covered, dirt collects; and in digging, it is highly desirable to have a smooth rear surface. Further, the socket containing the handle extends from the recess and it is highly desirable to have this portion of the shovel reinforced. It has been common practice to utilize a shield or plate to cover the recess or hollow back, this shield being a separate piece of metal and usually welded onto the back of the shovel. This necessitates an additional operation with attending disadvantages, resulting from improper placing and securing the plate, the plate Working loose and general objections where a separate piece of material is secured to another.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a shovel blank in which the blade socket or stale and covering for the hollow back, are made from a unitary piece of material and can be produced by die pressing or a similar pressing method.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smooth back shovel with all the virtues of the hollow back type providing greater strength and durability and made from a single blank.

Other objects will be disclosed in the specification and claims forming a part hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a back elevation showing the handle broken away;

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a plan of the blank before shaping.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar parts are designated by like numerals:

Referring particularly to Figure 4, numeral 5 designates a blank having a portion shaped to form a blade 6, with wings 1 adapted to be folded to form the closure plate for the recess in the back of the shovel; and 8 designates a flange adapted to constitute the socket in the finished shovel,

1939, Serial No. 260,639

The blank 5 will be formed by die pressing, or similar means, so that the usual hollow back shovel will be formed, with a concave face and a convex back, and having a recess in the rear adjacent the flange 8, which is formed into a socket 5 9, as shown in Figure 2. The wings I are then folded so as to present a smooth surface at the rear of the shovel. The ears I0, forming a part of the wings I, are bent inwardly, as shown in Figure 3, so as to offer greater reinforcement 10 and are welded in position at ll, 12 and I3. A handle I4 is inserted in the socket 9 and secured in position by a suitable means.

The shoulders l6 of the blank 5 are usually rolled or turned, as shown in Figure 1, for greater 15 strength, as the workman often places his foot against this part of the shovel in order to force it into the ground. This may be done during the. pressing operation. The wings I are formed preferably at about a 45 angle to the flange 8 and the shoulders l6. These portions. may vary with the type of shovel and formation thereof. Likewise, the exact shape of the wings may vary; and it is within the purview of the invention to make a single wing instead of two, in which case the welding or other securing operation will vary with the type of wing.

In utilizing the structure illustrated, I have provided a hollow-back shovel of the maximum strength, greatest simplicity, and a smooth rear surface that will not collect dirt or interfere in any way with the use of the shovel. The wings forming the closure member being formed unitary with the shovel blank provide a reinforcing structure which greatly strengthens the shovel at the point of greatest stress and serves to maintain the shovel blade in its predetermined position.

Numerous variations may doubtless be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from the principles of my invention. I, therefore, desire no limitations to be imposed on my invention, except such as are indicated in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A shovel comprising a shovel blade having a concave front face and convex rear face, the upper middle portion of the rear face having a recess formed therein, said recess forming a convex protuberance on the front face, a closure member formed integral with the shovel blade and extending across said recess, means for securing the free edge of said closure member to the back of said shovel blade, a socket extending from said shovel blade and a handle in said socket, said socket opening into said recess.

2. A shovel comprising a shovel blade having a members extending into said recess, means for concave front face and convex rear face, the securing the free edges of said closure members upper middle portion of the rear face having a and ears to the back of said shovel blade, a socket recess formed therein, said recess forming a conextending from said shovel blade and a handle in 5 Vex protuberance on the front face, closure memsaid socket, said socket opening into said recess. 5

bers formed integral with the shovel blades and extending across said recess, ears on said closure WILLIAM F. MCLINDON. 

